Listen To The Corn

Growing up on a farm there were a lot of things that we loved to do after the sun went down.  If we could find some naive city kids, we would take them “snipe” hunting.  We’d find an empty grain bag and a flashlight and then head off to the back woods.  There we would chose one of the city kids to hold the bag while we were to chase the birds called “snipes” toward them.  The bag holder would have to whistle and call, “snipe, snipe” to attract any birds in the area.  As the years passed we became more polished in our trickery.  Now, we would go quietly out into the fields and yell so the snipe would run away from us and go into the bag. Living in the Midwest afforded nice flat to rolling land, and since there were no such birds in our area, we would walk back to the house and periodically yell from there, leaving the “bag kid” all alone.

Thinking my Dad was following in the same type of  tradition, one night said, “Let’s go to the field and hear the corn grow”.  My comment was, “Right!  I wasn’t born yesterday.”  Still he insisted so; we walked to the new cornfield.  The corn was about three inches high, the soil was damp after a spring rain the night before, and the moon was full.  I thought to myself, “There must be stupid written all over my face!   Listen to corn grow!”

Nevertheless, we laid down in one of the rows of corn.  My Dad simply said, “Be still and listen for God.  He’s moving in the corn tonight.”  With that, a twelve-year-old becomes really quiet.  After hearing the crickets, owls, and or sounds of the farm for about a half hour, I began to hear a slow squeaking sound.  It sounded just like a mouse was next to my ear.

When I questioned my Dad, he told me that in the early spring corn can grow as much as two inches in one night.  This quick growth produces a sound from the leaves pushing upwards from the stalk. 

He said, “If you are not still, then you miss the majesty of God showing us his caring nature.” 

That night I not only heard God in the corn, but also found Him in the rest of the night sounds that were so familiar at other times, such as birds singing at night or the moon’s halo that was present when there is moisture in the air.  But on that night, God was speaking to me! It was not just biology, but in listening to the corn, it was my time to commune with God.

For some, we are so busy that we rarely listen to God.  He may speak in a still small voice, or through nature, or a friend.  But He still speaks!

When you pray to hear God speak to you, listen carefully in areas you may not think are common.  More importantly it is vital that you pray for Him to give you wisdom to understand when he is talking.  Amazingly, He will give you that insight.

What are you doing to facilitate your private time?  Is there a place you can get away to and listen for God?  God loves you and his strongest desire is to have a relationship with you.  How can you find hope for your troubles if you do not take to time to seek His purpose for your life?  Each day does not have to be a grand revelation.  For you never know when all he wants you to do is to “listen to the corn.”

What are you doing to introduce God into your childrens’ lives?  Listening to the corn is one  way, but once you are in tune to hearing the Master’s voice, then you can help your children in their relationship that will last a lifetime.